He has a point. FSDB opened the year with a loss to Oak Hall, but has since taken down Beacon of Hope, St. Francis, Vanguard and Indiana Deaf by a combined score of 186-74.

That’s not bad for a team that lost 27 straight games from 2007-2010 and won just three combined the past two seasons.

“They’re (the players) not as excited as I think they should be,” LeFors said. “But maybe that’s a good thing.”

If you were looking for an answer to everybody’s No. 1 question — what has changed in a year — you’ve just received it.

The Dragons lost so often for so long that it almost became routine.

LeFors took over, made it his first priority to change that, and now the Dragons aren’t just smashing records, they’re looking to break more.

“I don’t think they’re satisfied,” LeFors said. “That’s a good thing. They want to keep winning games like this.”

Saturday’s game against Indiana Deaf (1-4) was one LeFors and the Dragons circled in the offseason. It was the first meeting between the two deaf schools in their respective histories, and one LeFors wasn’t sure how to predict. He knew Alabama Deaf (their yearly rival) was a little down. So if FSDB could pull out a victory here, it could set a season of historic consequences in motion.

“This is one we really wanted,” LeFors said. “It feels really good.”

The player who has received the most praise along the way has been senior quarterback Corey Koski, and for good reason. He’s leading St. Johns County in rushing and is coming off a game in which he threw seven touchdowns — three short of the national record.

On Saturday, late in the fourth quarter, Koski was faced with backing up all the attention. Like great players are supposed to do, he didn’t flinch.

With 4:37 left in the game, Indiana Deaf quarterback Austin Phillips hit Kenny Long for a 11-yard touchdown. After a two-point conversion, the Orioles trailed only 20-16.

The ensuing kickoff was wobbly and sailed over the Dragons’ coverage. Koski made an over-the-shoulder grab, and turned what would have been disastrous field position into first-and-10 from their own 45.

After FSDB gained only 5 yards on the next two plays, Koski rolled out on a quarterback keeper and crept past the marker before absorbing a late hit out of bounds. With the penalty, Koski netted 25 yards and the Dragons were a first down from icing the game.

Two plays later, he cut his way through the defense for a 20-yard touchdown — his third of the night.

“It has been (great),” said senior Chaz Elliott, who rushed for 50 yards on seven carries and caught a two-point conversion. “We’ve been through a lot of stuff over the years. A lot of mistakes. A lot of arguing. We’ve persevered and kept working hard. I’m proud of this team.”

Elliott said it’s been a different, more football-focused culture this season.

“Our new coach is hard on us sometimes. He’s very tough, but we’re learning more,” Elliott said. “Games like this, it pays off.”

FSDB was really in control from the start of the game against an Indiana Deaf squad that trounced Alabama Deaf 64-12 earlier in the season.

The Dragons opened the game on an 11-play drive that ended with a 10-yard scoring run by Koski. The rest of the quarter was scoreless.

FSDB opened the second with a 10-play scoring drive. This one was finished off on a 20-yard scamper by KJ McDade, who led all rushers with 85 yards on eight carries.

Indiana Deaf responded with a long possession of their own, this one resulting in a 18-yard pass from Phillips to Jeremy Dean. After the two-point conversion, FSDB led 14-8.

The Dragons scored the game’s other touchdown following a fumble on the opening kickoff of the second half. FSDB took the ball on Indiana Deaf’s 38 and needed just three plays, the main being a 29-yard run by Mikal Moore, to allow Koski to walk in from 10-yards out.

Koski finished the night with 71 yards rushing. Moore and Nick Stanfield each tacked on 30.